James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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73. To ask the Minister for Health the waiting time targets in place for children needing orthodontic treatment in County Wexford and the south east and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43559/18]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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My question concerns the waiting time targets in place for children needing orthodontic treatment in County Wexford and the south east.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The HSE provides orthodontic treatment to children who have the greatest level of need and who have been assessed and referred for treatment before their 16th birthday. The HSE aims to commence treatment for the majority of patients within two years of assessment with patients with greatest clinical need being prioritised for treatment.

I am aware that there are particular challenges at present in the south east as waiting times have been affected by difficulties in filling the orthodontist post for County Wexford. The vacancy has been re-advertised with a closing date of 14 November 2018. Subject to the outcome of this process, the HSE is hopeful that the post can be filled early in 2019.

In the meantime, there is currently a one-day-a week assessment and review service in Enniscorthy with a treatment service being offered in Waterford and Kilkenny locations. I appreciate that it is far from ideal but it ensures that patients from County Wexford are able to access services pending the filling of the vacant position. In order to help address long waiting times, in 2016, the HSE procured orthodontic services in primary care from a number of private service providers. I understand that 225 patients from the south east are being treated under this programme. I hope we will be successful in filling the vacant orthodontist post for County Wexford. The closing date is 14 November. Subject to a successful outcome, we will move to fill that post as quickly as possible so that it can be operational early in 2019, which should significantly improve the service for people in the south east.

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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At this stage, the waiting list for orthodontic treatment is simply out of control. Nationally, there are over 18,000 children on the waiting list, of which 7,500 have been waiting over two years. In the south east, 3,000 children are waiting for treatment with 1,500 waiting over two years and over 150 waiting over four years for orthodontic treatment. In my county of Wexford, 700 children are in need of orthodontic treatment. Over two thirds of these children have been waiting in excess of two years. My office is inundated with phone calls, texts, emails and people calling to the office. Parents are dismayed by these waiting lists.

Waiting has an impact on mental health. Unfortunately, we live in a society where perfection is increasingly becoming an issue. Having to wait longer during their teenage years is having an impact on the mental health of children who desperately need orthodontic treatment.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I acknowledge Deputy Browne's point and I will raise it with the HSE in the context of the preparation of the service plan for 2019 and the NTPF in the context of its work on waiting list initiatives. It is fair to say there is a particular issue in the south east, particularly in the Deputy's county with that vacant orthodontist post. In fairness, the HSE has tried to fill it but it was not successful. It has now re-advertised the post and hopes to fill it. The closing date is 14 November. I will certainly keep in close contact with the HSE with regard to making sure that if a suitable candidate is identified on 14 November, everything is put in place to ensure that person is operational and in post as quickly as possible. I take the broader point made by the Deputy and will raise it with the HSE in the context of the service plan.

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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I hope the Minister applies as much pressure as possible to ensure that this specialist is put in place. Children who are assessed towards the end of primary school are coming up to the leaving certificate still not having received the treatment they desperately need. It is undermining their self-confidence and in some cases, their mental health. I ask the Minister to ensure that this is addressed as quickly as possible.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I will do so. I will keep in contact with Deputy Browne in respect of this matter and will ask that the HSE comes back to him after 14 November with regard to how successful it has been in filling that vacant post.